Senior Social Media Manager
- Civil Service
- Part Time
- Birmingham
- 44,620 - 52,090
Job Description
Job summary
At DSIT were all about improving peoples lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Governments 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving peoples lives. Whether its researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.
Our Inclusive Environment
We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
Find Out More
We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm
You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/
Job description
At DSIT, we are leading the way in cementing the UK as one of the most innovative economies in the world, growing the economy and improving the lives of everyone in the UK through the jobs of tomorrow and new discoveries that advance the health and prosperity of society whilst ensuring users are protected online.
We pride ourselves on having a great team culture and a focus on innovation, storytelling and making a difference in people's lives. We are looking for an experienced digital communications expert and leader to drive our creative approach and communicate the department's priorities and announcements to a range of audiences.
You will take a leading role in creating, managing and prioritising digital engagement plans and content for our social media channels, as well as building partnerships with cross government colleagues, stakeholders and digital influencers in this space.
The role is a mix of strategy and delivery, where you may jump from developing plans for a long-term campaign one moment, to urgently draft some posts on a major breaking news story the next. We are a busy department with a lot to communicate about and no two days are the same.
Our work has a strong audience focus, and you will be at the forefront of finding and developing creative ways to engage with different groups with an interest in our work. Exceptional creativity, expert understanding of social media channels, excellent copy-writing skills, attention to detail, collaboration, and a passion for the work we do is key.
You will lead the content creator strategy, build strong influencer relationships and delivering trend-led, creative partnerships that drive reach and engagement. Your team will work closely with the Creative Content side of the team, commissioning video, animation and graphic content, making sure that it demonstrates impact, is channel appropriate, has end users in mind, and meets strategic objectives as part of multidiscipline communications campaigns. You will also work closely with the Media, Visits and External Affairs Team on ministerial led announcements and with our Campaigns and Marketing Team to deliver low/no cost and paid campaigns.
This is a fast-paced role, and you will need to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines, with an ability to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances. Occasional out of hours/weekend working will be needed. A few examples of our recent work:
Online Safety Act video collaboration with content creators and Secretary of State: https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1948700448434635033
Using AI to improve efficiencies in healthcare:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNgPr6atJFb/?igsh=MTR6bDl6bjM1bHV5aA==
AI Growth Zones:
https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1991779143822848405?s=20
Women in Tech Taskforce:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7454492430189539328
Quantum Computing animation:
Data Use and Access Bill:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLP31NQo7xT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Person specification
Key Responsibilities:
Help set the strategic approach for both owned and earned digital communications, to ensure we are reaching and engaging with the right audiences on the departmental priorities that matter to them.
Lead on a portfolio and deliver digital communications plans around DSIT priorities, using insight, drafting copy, commissioning and scheduling content, driving up engagement and continuously evaluating.
Lead the delivery of the content creator strategy by identifying and managing relationships with relevant influencers to deliver engaging, audience-first content.
Work with creators to co-develop platform-native, trend-led content aligned to campaign objectives.
Develop always-on communications, creating consistent, audience-led content that sustains engagement.
Identify opportunities to amplify activity through social trends, reactive moments and creator networks.
Line management of IOs in the team, helping them to develop their digital communications skills, meet tight deadlines, manage changing briefs, and action feedback.
Promoting digital skills capability by providing high quality advice and support to a range of colleagues in the Media, Visits, External Affairs and Campaigns Teams as well as senior leaders, ministers and their private offices.
Respond to reactive issues, supporting the Media Team on urgent news stories, provide transparency for the public, challenge misinformation and defend the department's reputation.
Put insight and evaluation at the heart of all your work from ideation to evaluation - to ensure we are able to measure impact, and our communications is best developed to reach our intended audiences.
As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.
Essential Criteria:
Strategically planning and delivering digital communications strategies for a large complex organisation that set challenging KPIs and deliver meaningful outcomes both no/low cost and paid.
Delivering insight-driven channel plans for different platforms (e.g. a YouTube-specific strategy), to maximise and grow their reach, engagement and following.
Managing social media channels effectively day to day, preferably for a large or heavily scrutinised organisation.
Excellent copy-writing skills including tailoring content for audiences and platforms.
Ability to make strategic decisions by having strong analytical skills and developing insights into recommendations that improve communications approaches.
Working closely with content creators to deliver engaging, earned-media content to reach the right audience and boost engagement.
Keeping up with trends, new tech and platform updates to optimise your communications and thinking creatively when it comes to content, copy and partnerships.
Handling highly reactive communications at pace and delivering effectively under pressure.
Representing your team well and influencing senior stakeholders, particularly when given challenging feedback or when they disagree with your strategy.
Good understanding of online risk and how to mitigate it.
Desirable Criteria:
Experience using social media management and monitoring platforms (e.g. Orlo Social).
Experience of analytics and evaluation reporting on digital campaigns.
